Let us always remember these wise words. Below are some pictures from our homestay experience about a month ago. The first is from a basii ceremony, which is to bring us good luck in our travels and fortunes.
Hey everyone! Just a quick not to let you know I am alive and a part of the global community. I am currently in the northern town of Chiang Mai. We have been here for 1 week or more and will be here for another 2 weeks or so. Then we are off to Luang Prabang, Laos for a week, before heading back to Thailand. I will be home on December 15! Crazy, whirlwind of a time here. I am off to a weaving village now, helping a student do her inquiry project on Thai textiles. I was at Wat Doi Suthep a couple of days ago setting up a meditation retreat for another student. I am helping another advisee on setting up an internship at a local NGO that runs HIV/AIDS Youth prevention program later this week. We are also conducting workshops of writing and presentation for their projects. It is pretty interesting to see how they are going about all of it. I am learning quite a bit along the way too. I dpo miss being in one spot, although this 3 weeks here, followed by the 10 days we spent in Dong Luang (pictures forthcoming, if I can find them! Do'h, downloaded them and then deleted, now cannot find thier location. Gotta be here somewhere....)
Go Vikes, down the Pack! KG looks to be tearing it up (as is Moss). Good to see. Can't wait to see ya'll. Later
Oh, and the picture of the woman with the child: she came and sat down next to me, chatted for a bit, she grabbed my hand and read my palm (I have some difficult times ahead for the next 3 years but when I am 36 I find the love of my life and things are very good - I can handle that), then she wanted and impromptu English lesson. The words she wanted to learn? Grandma, baby, smoking. She went on to repeat those three words for about 5 minutes, and it was one of the funnier things I have seen. Beautiful, crazy woman from Dong Luang.
Hey, all! Just wanted to let you know that I am still around, now in Bangkok. Forgive any typos, I have not time nor patience for checking that right now, as I may loose my work.... We started off in Krabi, surrounded by huge limestone karsts millions of years ago used to be the largest coral reef in the world. You can see us kayak past them in a pic here. Then we climbed 1200 plus steps to the top of a gorgeous Budhist temple, also pictured. Then we went to a famous monastary and spent 3 days practicing meditation and I had my first 36 hours of silence experience. It was interesting, particularly in that environment. Then we went to Khao Sok, which is a damned up national park with monstrous karsts. Spent a lot of time kayaking there too, as well as checking out caves wehre "communist" resistors kept the military dicatorship at bay inthe 1980's. Did a rainforest walk, and generally enjoyed life on a rafthouse for 5 days. Then we went to Kanchanaburi and the Bridge Over the River Kwai (pr. Kwae). Now in Bankok, and have done a heckova lot here. The students had a great time saturday at the worlds largest market, and I bought another belt from a leather craftsman who made my last belt I bought from him 7 years ago. My Thai is coming back to me and I have lots of ideas on how to improve the semester. I am learning quite a bit, but days are very long. Internet access has been sporadic and this is the first time I've had to blog yet. Hope to get more time in a bout a month. We are headed to an ancient capital of Ayuthaya on Thursday, before 3 days at Khao Yai national park, then off to the Northeast, where we spend 2 days along the Mekhong river prepping the students for 10 days of homestay with a rural family. Then we climb a mountain in the north near Loei, a place I have always been told is one of the most beautiful in Thailand (and the coolest, which is welcomed). Then we head to first ancient capital Sukhothai (Trevor remembers that well - can get pretty hot, right?) And then we are off to Chiang Mai for 3 weeks, where students work on individual research and practice projects. Then they have a week to do whatever they want, and we sit back and make sure nobody gets hurt. Then we have closure in Nonk Khai and then back to Bangkok. It is a whirlwind to say the least. I had my first day off yesterday - a whole 24 hours! Had my first brew in a month, and it tasted nice. Beer Lao, no less. Was nice to hang with old friends Peter and Alan, teachers I met during my first stint here and they have been holding the fort down since. Hope to blog soon and take a peek at yours as well. Haven't been able to access this site in many places. Stay well, and enjoy autumn for me!
Well, the ways of the world continue to perplex. How is it possible that the once highly respected American Mustache Institute declared Keith Hernandez the best sports mustache of all time? Over ROLLIE FINGERS? That is simply madness. How the Tom Sellick brush broom can win over the handle bar is simply unfathomable. You be the judge:
What a joke. I emplore you to go to the AMI to voice your complaint.
Hey everybody,
Please check out an 8 minute documentary on the HIV/AIDS situation in Uganda entitled The Condom Controversy. It was done by a friend of mine, Daniele Anastasion, and the more hits it gets online the better chance it has at getting on PBS. It is a well done piece that describes how Uganda's HIV/AIDS progress has regressed in recent years as a result of misguided leadership as well as the Bush Administration's shortsighted program to fight the disease in Africa. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), stipulates that a third of the money assigned to prevention be used to promote abstinence-only programs and that promoting condom use should be restricted to high-risk groups, such as sex workers and truck drivers. Of course, this leaves out everyone else that might engage in sexual activity, which has proven tragic. While this excellent documentary focussed on the Ugandan situation I know that the problem is faced by other African nations.
Many thanks for your participation!
Certainly, this administration has been a beakon of light for democracy around the world. This administration is a shining example of how clear thought, uninfluenced nor unimpeded by special interests, can benefit the citizenry through transparent and collaborative governance. Yep, this is how democracy is supposed to work.
How many times can one administration disregard the rule of law? The abuse of power displayed by the cronies that constitute the highest office in the land is truly disturbing. I signed an impeachment petition prior to the launching of this unjustified, wreckless, illegal and tragic war, and I hope others have done the same or are about to. To think of the consequences not only in terms of human and monetary cost, or the unknown toll this madness has unleashed upon the reputation of countries constitutiong the "Coalition of the Willing"... just try to conceive of the hell that "coalition" has brought upon the citizens of Iraq.
Or if you could make a trip to the Thomas Jefferson memorial in our nation's capital and reconsider the integrity of the systems that govern our republic. This administration pushes for autocratic rule and attempts to chisel away at the foundations of our well constructed checks and balances. And it appears that they are succeeding in many regards. The other side of the isle is hardly better, as they are letting the administration get a way with it. While there has never been an administration as secretive and determined to line the pockets of its friends as this one, our representatives are content with the status quo and are too afraid to rock the boat during a campaign or for fear of looking unpatriotic or unsupportive of the troops. Well, I am so tired of it all. When will people see through the spin and realize that the troops (while tragically set on an unbelievably counterproductive mission) should be used as a last resort to fight for threats to our democracy, not to forcefully expand our geopolitical influence on a clearly unjustifiable stage. To use them in any other way is dishonorable and disengenuous to our troops. To blindly support whatever cause thier government wants to use them for is not supporting the troops. Their needs to be an active vetting process that circumvents the "public opinion" polls used to trump up war by the media outlets that profit from reporting on it.
The people at home are supposed to be the safeguards of that societal glue through actively participating in the democratic process. The citizens are the largest and most powerful lobby out there, if they actually send emails or telephone calls to their representatives on issues of concern to them. Because they by and large don't, special interests get the ears and thus the influence. Then the politicians spin it all in 30 second blurbs that tell a portion of the issue to get re-elected.
And with each Anna Nicole Smith or whatever tabloid news item gains the ear of CNN listeners the audience is denied information that could prompt them to action. Which is the way the interests beholden to this corrupted process want to keep it.
I find all of this frustrating, yes, but mostly perplexing. Much of the solution seems simple to me. Write, speak, hit the streets in protest to gain the ears of your representatives. The administration can fear monger in every speech it gives about the others trying to take away our freedoms... I am more concerned about the powers that created this kind of Administration and a lack of collective will to address it through the democratic channels available to us.
But alas, I was refreshed and inspired by attending a Roger Waters show recently. I got to go with Trevor which was a treat. Roger exemplifies many of my feelings about power relations in the world, and he left no doubt in his show that he is not a fan of this adminstration. Indeed, Roger and Pink Floyd have long constructed anti-war and abuse of power songs. Here is one that rings true in light of my diatribe above. You can watch a colourful video to the music at here.
"Pigs"
Big man, pig man, ha ha, charade you are
You well heeled big wheel, ha ha, charade you are
And when your hand is on your heart
You're nearly a good laugh
Almost a joker
With your head down in the pig bin
Saying 'keep on digging'
Pig stain on your fat chin
What do you hope to find?
When you're down in the pig mine
You're nearly a laugh
You're nearly a laugh
But you're really a cry.
Bus stop rat bag, ha ha, charade you are
You fucked up old hag, ha ha, charade you are
You radiate cold shafts of broken glass
You're nearly a good laugh
Almost worth a quick grin
You like the feel of steel
You're hot stuff with a hat pin
And good fun with a hand gun
You're nearly a laugh
You're nearly a laugh
But you're really a cry.
Hey you Whitehouse, ha ha, charade you are
You house proud town mouse, ha ha, charade you are
You're trying to keep your feelings off the street
You're nearly a real treat
All tight lips and cold feet
And do you feel abused?
...!...!...!
You gotta stem the evil tide
And keep it all on the inside
Mary you're nearly a treat
Mary you're nearly a treat
But you're really a cry.
In the next two days, Congress will vote on an amendment to close the
notorious School of the Americas/WHINSEC. The School of the Americas, funded
by our tax dollars and located at Ft. Benning Georgia, has trained -for more
than 60 years- over 60,000 Latin American Soldiers in torture, psychological
warfare and war against civilian populations. Many of the tactics of Abu
Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay began at the SOA to be used on civilians and those
working for justice in Latin America. This school has graduated the worst
human rights abusers in Latin American History. Rep. McGovern (MA) and Rep.
John Lewis (GA) will introduce an amendment to the Foreign Operations
appropriations bill to cut funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC and stand up against
the legacy of torture as a part of US Foreign Policy!
We expect a close vote and need as many people as possible flooding the
offices of the House of Representatives with calls, e-mails and faxes in
support of a YES vote on the amendment everyday through June 21st. This is
it! You can make a difference and it's the people power of our movement that
will get this amendment passed! Send an e-mail and free fax to Congress by
visiting: www.soaw.org/legislative .
PLEASE CALL CONGRESS NOW - Please take the time to call the DC office of
your Representative through the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
Ask to speak with the foreign affairs legislative assistant. Feel free to
use the following message:
"I am calling Representative ________ to urge her/him to vote YES on the
McGovern amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. This
amendment is a cut in funding for the School of the Americas/ WHINSEC. New
information indicates that WHINSEC has allowed known human rights abusers to
instruct and receive training at the school. The governments of Costa Rica,
Argentina and Uruguay have made public announcements they will no longer
send students to the school, citing the negative image and history of this
institution. Voting YES on this amendment sends a positive human rights
message to Latin America and will help to improve the U.S. image abroad. As
an elected official in Washington D.C., I hope you will represent me and
vote YES on any amendment in the House that would cut funding for the
school."
Hey everybody,
I want to bring your attention to an award winning documentary entitled Why We Fight. It is very well done, gripping, and really should be viewed by every taxpayer in this country. Those of you who know me have probably discussed the topics covered at some point, and I feel like this is the best example available to share that explains the reasons our country is in the position it is right now, and why our government and media often fails to serve the general public good. Everybody should watch this documentary. If for no other reason than to heed the warning of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who discussed the content of the documentary in his final national address before leaving office, and that is the first part of the documentary. Coming from a former 5 star general, this is an astounding commentary. Please watch this great history lesson.
Hey there, Matty!
I realize I am also getting older when I realize another year has slipped through my fingers. I mean, it has been ONE YEAR since I posted your last birthday tribute here http://larsmeanderings.blogspot.com/2006/05/aging-of-matthew-jdipietro.html. I am puzzled, perplexed and dumbfounded to learn that a year has passed. But it has, and you have found a foothold in San Fran during that time. Congratulations on all you have achieved, and may you continue to live well and prosper. A very happy birthday to you, old friend.
Rock on...
Last time I blogged I said that my following blog would be about the hurricane Katrina aftermath. That blog is still in the works, but as today is a sunny Friday, and I am celebrating my long awaited graduation from grad school, I would like to have a more up beat message. But I will lead in to other New Orleans issues through this blog with the pictures provided. I hope it gives you a flavor of what I had the good fortune to experience firsthand, and provides a sample of why it is so important to rebuild and preserve the national cultural treasure that is The Big Easy.
A couple weeks back I participated in my first Second Line, which is a traditional brass band parade in New Orleans. The parade is often in honor of people recently deceased who have been part of a social club that sponsors the honorary parade with dues that went for the membership. The tradition began right after the Civil War as an insurance mechanism for African Americans who were refused access to other forms of insurance. Burial was one of the benefits provided through the club membership.
The second line begins at a location and continues on a path through the city, usually doing a circle that ends near the starting point.
The band began playing as the crowd filled in and swelled. Vendors sold cold beverages and food along the route, and people watched the parade pass from balconies. Others joined along the route and danced along with the hundreds of followers.
As we danced down the road you can see clear evidence of the hurricane. Under these bridges there are still a couple of rusted out cars and boats that nobody has claimed. Liz told me it was like a junkyard here for months after the storm, as the city needed to put the thousands of ruined automobiles somewhere, and this was as good a place as any.
There are thousands of FEMA issued trailers in front yards across the city. People are still waiting for their insurance or government support money to fix up their homes, so they are trapped in these trailers. I will write about the health hazards posed by them in an upcoming blog.
The emotion and energy of the crowd was fantastic. Everybody was in a good mood, dancing and singing, happy to be there. If I lived in New Orleans I would do this as often as possible. They happen every few weeks, I was told.
The food was fantastic, but not very healthy. I am a big cajun fan now. I particularly enjoyed the cajun crawfish. They were everywhere, piles of them. Spicy little critters tasted fabulous.
And here is a short video that helps you get an idea of what it was like. Sorry for the bounciness of the image; it appears I just couldn't stop dancin'.
Next post may have to address a little event called The New Orleans Heritage and Jazz Festival I attended while down there. I definitely left New Orleans endeared to the city. In fact, I can safely call it my favorite in the country outside of the Twin Cities. Yes, San Fran is gorgeous, and New York is amazing, Chicago is real and Portland is laid back. But the people, the culture, and the air in New Orleans are more genuine. The attitude is unique. I come from a friendly place, but it pales in comparison to New Orleans. May its dignified and proud history live on!
